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Puberty is the period of human development during which physical growth and sexual maturation occurs.

Description

Beginning as early as age eight in girls—and two years later, on average, in boys—the hypothalamus (part of the brain) signals hormonal change that stimulates the pituitary. In turn, the pituitary releases its own hormones called gonadotrophins that stimulate the gonads and adrenals. From these glands come a flood of sex hormones—androgens and testosterone in the male, estrogens and progestins in the female—that regulate the growth and function of the sex organs. It is interesting to note that the gonadotrophins are the same for males and females, but the sex hormones they induce are different.

In the United States, the first sign of puberty occurs on average at age 11 in girls, with menstruation and fertility following about two years later. Boys lag behind by about two years. Puberty may not begin until age 16 in boys and continue in a desultory fashion on past age 20. In contrast to puberty, adolescence is more of a social/cultural term referring to the interval between childhood and adulthood.

Dictionary: pu·ber·ty

The stage of adolescence in which an individual becomes physiologically capable of sexual reproduction.

World of the Body: puberty

Puberty marks the point in human development where both males and females gain the capability to procreate. Puberty occurs during adolescence, which begins as early as age 10 and is usually completed by age 17. For girls, a rising level of oestrogen (female hormone) sets the process in motion. Pelvis and breast development are followed by a spurt in height and then the growth of underarm and pubic hair. Finally, menarche, the beginning of the first menstrual cycle, occurs. Ovulation does not automatically coincide with menarche. It may take as many as forty cycles for ovulation to become a regular part of the menstrual cycle. Though they are uniform in order, the age of onset, pace, and duration of these changes vary widely from one individual to another. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the average age of first menstruation has declined. In the US, it decreased from about 14 years old in 1900 to 12 years old in 1975. Scientists attribute this change to better living standards, particularly in regard to diet. In males a sharp increase in androgen (male hormone) and growth hormone spawns skeletal development, followed by the lowering of the voice, the growth of facial hair, increase in sex organ size, height, spermatogenesis, and muscle development. The outward physical signs of puberty tend to occur earlier in girls than in boys, particularly the growth spurt.

Food and Fitness: puberty

The period between the first appearance of pubic hair and (in females) the first menstrual flow, or (in males) the first development of active sperm. The age of puberty varies: in females it is usually between 9 and 15 years, and in males between 11 and 14 years. During puberty, young people undergo quite dramatic physical and psychological changes. Regular, well-structured exercise and sport can help them to cope with these changes by providing emotional and physical release. Involvement in sport can also encourage personal responsibility for health and an interest in sound nutrition. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, regular aerobic exercise may also help to ease menstrual pain in girls. Despite all these advantages, some types of exercise are dangerous during puberty because bones are still growing and the cartilaginous growth zones (epiphyseal discs) are easily damaged. Consequently, hard anaerobic exercise and training with heavy weights should not take place until two years after the final growth spurt, which may be any time between 10 and 18 years. Excessive aerobic activity, such as long-distance running, can also place intolerable stresses on joints and soft tissues causing permanent damage.

Thesaurus: puberty noun

The time of life between childhood and maturity: adolescence, greenness, juvenescence, juvenility, salad days, spring, youth, youthfulness. See youth/age/maturity.

Antonyms: puberty

Definition: young adulthood

Antonyms: adulthood

Dental Dictionary: puberty

The age at which the reproductive system becomes functional, with concurrent development of secondary sex characteristics. Marked by increased estrogenic activity in the female and rise of androgenic activity in the male.

Children’s Health Encyclopedia: Puberty

Definition

Puberty is the period of human development during which physical growth and sexual maturity occurs.

Description

The word puberty is derived from the Latin pubertas, which means adulthood. Puberty is initiated by hormonal changes triggered by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which stimulates the pituitary gland, which in turn activates other glands as well. These changes begin about a year before any of their results are visible. Both the male reproductive hormone testosterone and female hormone estrogen are present in children of both sexes. However, their balance changes at puberty, with girls producing relatively more estrogen and boys producing more testosterone.

Beginning as early as age eight in girls—and two years later, on average, in boys—the hypothalamus signals hormonal change that stimulates the pituitary. In turn, the pituitary releases its own hormones called gonadotrophins that stimulate the gonads and adrenals. From these glands come a flood of sex hormones—androgen and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progestin in the female—that regulate the growth and function of the sex organs. It is interesting to note that the gonadotrophins are the same for males and females, but the sex hormones they induce are different.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: puberty

In human physiology, the period of first becoming capable of reproducing sexually. Occurring at about age 12 in girls and age 14 in boys, puberty is characterized by the maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and, in girls, onset of menstruation. Both sexes experience a swift increase in body size and changes in body shape and composition. Puberty marks the beginning of adolescence.

Sports Science and Medicine: puberty

pubescence

A period in the life course between the appearance of pubic hair and, in females, the first menarche, or, in males, the first development of sperm. Puberty varies, but in females it usually occurs between 9 and 15 years, while in males it usually occurs between 11 and 14 years.

Columbia Encyclopedia: puberty

(pyū’bərtē) , period during which the onset of sexual maturity occurs. It usually takes place between the ages of 10 and 15 in both sexes but sometimes occurs as early as 7 or 8 years of age in females. The pituitary gland secretes hormones that stimulate enlargement and development of the sex organs, which thus become capable of reproduction. The appearance of secondary sex characteristics also occurs during puberty. In females the reproductive cycle of ovulation and menstruation begins, pubic hair appears, and development of the breasts and other body contours takes place. Physical changes in males include production and discharge of semen, appearance of facial and body hair, and deepening of the voice. Skin difficulties, such as acne, may affect both sexes. Puberty, a transition period coinciding with adolescence, involves both physiological and psychological adjustments. It is often marked by emotional stress arising as the adolescent relinquishes childhood behavior patterns and adopts those of an adult.

Psychoanalysis: Puberty

Puberty was originally defined anatomically and physiologically as the appearance of secondary signs of sexual maturation that mark the beginning of the adolescent process which will put an end to the period of childhood that had been prolonged by the period of latency. The concepts of puberty and adolescence have been increasingly considered as belonging to the field of psychoanalysis only progressively.

Veterinary Dictionary: pubertal

Pertaining to or emanating from puberty.

* p. period — the period approaching puberty when gonadal function, accessory sex gland function and behavior develop to the point where reproduction is possible.

Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a child’s body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Puberty is initiated by hormone signals from the brain to the gonads (the ovaries and testes). In response, the gonads produce a variety of hormones that stimulate the growth, function, or transformation of brain, bones, muscle, skin, breasts, and reproductive organs. Growth accelerates in the first half of puberty and reaches completion by the end. Before puberty, body differences between boys and girls are almost entirely restricted to the genitalia. During puberty major differences of size, shape, composition, and function develop in many body structures and systems. The most obvious of these are referred to as secondary sex characteristics.

In a strict sense, the term puberty (and this article) refers to the bodily changes of sexual maturation rather than the psychosocial and cultural aspects of adolescent development. Adolescence is the period of psychological and social transition between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence largely overlaps the period of puberty but its boundaries are less precisely defined and it refers as much to the psychosocial and cultural characteristics of development during the teen years as to the physical changes of puberty

Criminal Law is an extreme field of practice covering all those aspects that entail crime as its factor. Every act or omission that violates a command derives its force from legislature or from authority – either political or religious – that has absolute sway over the matters of state is considered to be a crime. This is the reason that state stands as a prosecutor against the alleged culprit. The main intention of criminal law is to maintain the sway of state in all matters involving acts or omissions: no act or omission that challenges the sway of the state can be allowed by the criminal law of the state.

Pakistan has a very detailed criminal law that is though outdated to some extent but it tends to cover all aspects that do constitute a crime. To understand the criminal law in Pakistan one needs to understand the socio cultural phenomena of this country also. Most of the criminal law that has been prevailing in Pakistan was introduced by the British Empire when India was a colony and Pakistan was part of it. Even then a care was taken to understand the social conditions and criminal law was tried to be conditioned according to the cultural circumstances of the colony. This is the reason that it was willfully accepted by India and Pakistan both after their freedom from British Empire. Code of Criminal Procedure (V of 1898) that was implemented in colony is still largely the prescribed criminal procedure followed by the courts in Pakistan. Similarly the Penal Code (XLV of 1860) that was introduced in colony is still largely followed in shape of Pakistan Penal Code.

Supreme Court being the most apex court of Pakistan has the supreme administrative authority over functionality of all the criminal courts of Pakistan.

When any person is apprehended for committing any crime, after investigation – that is to be completed within 14 days u/Sec. 173 of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr PC) – he / she is subjected to rigorous trial in the prescribed criminal court that has jurisdiction in the said matter. Court before commencement of trial is duty bound to allow an alleged offender to appoint defence counsel of his / her choice under Article 10 of Constitution of Pakistan. Then Court pronounces a Charge against an alleged offender that describes the nature of offence and the nature of act or omission that constitutes a specific crime. Thereafter, prosecution is given an opportunity to present evidence that it has against the alleged offender. The defence counsel of alleged offender is given full opportunity to cross examine and object to the prosecution evidence, within the prescribed limits of law.

Though prosecution being the duty of the state is to be conducted by the state appointed counsels but any person who being aggrieved by the offence can appoint his / her own prosecution counsel, in addition to the state counsels already duty bound to prosecute. After the prosecution concludes its evidence the presiding Judge put certain questions u/Sec. 342 Cr PC to the alleged offender. These questions are very crucial as presiding Judge gives an opportunity to alleged offender to explain incriminating evidence against him / her. Alleged offender is also given an opportunity to appear as his own witness. Moreover he / she is also given an opportunity to present documentary evidence and witnesses in his / her defence. After the conclusion of defence evidence the trial is concluded and the Presiding Judge pronounces judgment. Judgment could be of acquittal or punishment. In both cases prosecution and alleged offender has right to appeal against the judgment of the trial court. The appeal is made to the immediate superior court of the trial court.

Punishment is universally accepted mode of retribution and deterrence. Punishment varies with the nature of crime. Different punishment can be given for the same crime. But retrospective punishment and double punishment in any case is specifically prohibited by the Constitution of Pakistan. Article 12 states: “No law shall authorize the punishment of a person for an act or omission that was not punishable at the time of the act or omission”, similarly Article 13 states: “No person shall be punished for the same offence more than once”. Article 13(b) also states: “No person shall, when accused of an offence, be compelled to be witness against himself”.

Constitution of Pakistan specifically demarcates the contours of Criminal Law of Pakistan by stating unequivocally in Article 9: “No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law”. And the Law shall never be against the universally accepted Fundamental Rights, this is specifically and explicitly enshrined in Article 8 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The fundamentals of criminal law are based on the principle of justice, equity and good conscience. They provide adequate guidelines for the formulation a rational penal policy. In order to be influential the criminal law must have four important elements, that is, politically, specificity, uniformity and penal sanction. The functioning of the criminal justice system is wide enough to achieve its goals and objectives. Its ultimate goal is undoubtedly to make the society safer for its citizens. Most widely accepted aims of the criminal law include:

The enforcement of criminal law should reflect the society’s disapprobation for criminal activity through apprehending, convicting and punishing the offenders.

Deterring criminals from indulging in criminal activities and at the same advising the other people as to how to avoid falling a victim to a crime.

Criminal law should be beneficially used to rehabilitate the offenders and incapacitating those who might otherwise prove to be a potential danger to the society.

Ensuring safety and security of people through maintenance of law and order.

Helping the victims to get adequate compensation from the offender wherever possible.

Efficient and fair application of law ensuring proper treatment of suspects, defendants, those who are held in custody and witnesses. Also ensuring that the innocents are acquitted without harassment and guilty is duly punished.

Ensuring that criminal justice system is accountable to the society.

In Pakistan the major statutes relating to criminal law are the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898. Out of these two the former deals in defining all the offences and mentioning their punishments along, the former is specifically a code of procedure. The criminal procedure code is essentially a procedural law, which provides machinery for the punishment of offenders against the substantive criminal law example the Pakistan Penal Code. In fact the two codes are to be read together. Apart from these two statutes, which specifically deal in the criminal branch of law, there are certain other general laws which attract criminal liability like, Negotiable Instruments Act which attracts criminal liability in case of dishonoring cheque, although new provision of section 489-F has also been added in Pakistan Penal Code, regarding dishonestly issuing a cheque. Information Technology Law is also going to be drafted very soon which will deal with the wrongs relating to the Computer and Information Technology etc. The firm possessing an expertise in this branch has, through its most experienced and efficient attorney’s has successfully handled a pile of such cases involving penal prosecution. The experience of the lawyers at work in this arena has provided us a distinct position from the rest.

The Criminal Procedure Code prescribes the Constitution of the Criminal Courts and offices and speaks of the powers of the courts. It contains various general provisions pertaining to the information to the Magistrates and Police and gives the procedure of arrest, escape and relating to the process to compel appearance through summons, warrant of arrest, proclamation and attachment and other rules regarding processes. It also prescribed the processes to compel the production of documents and other movable property and for the discovery of persons wrongfully confined through summons to produce and search warrants. The Criminal Procedure also helps for prevention of offences through security for keeping the peace and good behavior and to prevent the unlawful assemblies, public nuisances or apprehended danger, disputes as to immoveable property, preventive action of the police and their powers to investigate. The Cr.P.C also deals with the proceedings in prosecution and gives the jurisdiction to Criminal Courts according to place of inquiry or trial, complaints to the Magistrates, commencements of proceedings before Magistrates and inquiry into cases triable by the Courts of Sessions or High Courts. It also prescribes nature and form of charges and joinders of charges and gives the procedure of trial by Magistrates including summary trial and trial before High Court and Court of Sessions and gives the mode of taking recording evidence in inquiries and trial and finally judgment.

The Criminal Procedure Code further defines the steps of submission of sentences for confirmation, execution, suspensions, remissions and computations of sentences, previous acquittals and convictions. This also dictates the steps of Appeals, References and Revisions. It further has special provisions relating to cases in which European and Pakistan British subjects are concerned and lunatics. It also defines the strategy of proceedings in case of certain offences affecting the administration of justice, of the maintenance of wives and children. It also ordains the actions regarding directions of the nature of a Habeas Corpus and have the supplementary provisions regarding public prosecutor, bail, commissions for the examination of witness, special rules or evidence. Provisions as to bonds, of the disposal of property, transfer of criminal cases and supplementary provisions relating to European and Pakistan British subjects and others. It also specifies the conduct of irregular proceedings and miscellaneous matters.

Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 specifies the extent of punishments against different crimes and offences committed within Pakistan and beyond Pakistan but which by law may be tried within Pakistan and extra territorial offences. The PPC further assigns the policy of general exceptions, right of private defense, abetment, and criminal conspiracy. It further requires the actions against offences against the state, relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force and against public tranquility.

It also dictates the policy against offences by or relating to public servant, offences relating to offences and contempt of the lawful authority of public servants. It further stipulates the system against the false evidence and offences against public justice and relating to coins and Government Stamps and pertaining to weights and measures. The PPC also assigns the policy relating to offences affecting the public health, safety, convenience, decency and morals. It also assigns a scheme regarding offences relating to religion, affecting the human body, wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement, of rape and of unnatural offences. This also ordains the steps against offences against property through theft, extortion, robbery and dacoity, hijacking, criminal misappropriation of property, criminal breach of trust, receiving of stolen property, of cheating, fraudulent deeds and disposition of property, mischief and criminal trespass.

The PPC also defines the punishment against offences relating to documents and to Trade or Property marks through forgery or false documents, counterfeiting currency and bank notes and criminal breach of contracts of service. It also dictates the punishment against offences relating to marriage, defamation, criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance and the attempts to commit offences.

Right of pre-arrest bail is rare and very limited which could be extended in very strong and exceptional circumstances, which are based on malafide / enmity on the part of complainant or police. Section 498 Cr.P.C. provides the law of pre-arrest bail. This section empowers High Court or session court to grant pre-arrest bail in cases of exceptional nature. But such power has to be exercised according to rule and guiding lay down by superior courts.

According to Higher Courts for grant pre-arrest bail following conditions must be fulfilled.

1) Arrest being for ulterior motives such as humiliation and unjustified harassment.

2) Prosecution motivated to causes irreparable injury to the reputation and liberty.

3) Apprehension of harassment and under irreparable humiliation by unjustified arrest.

4) It should be otherwise fit case on merits.

In general the pre-arrest bail petition is filled in the Court of Session but it can also be filed in High Court in exceptional circumstances. In practice a person after pre-arrest bail join the investigation and record his version before the police. After hearing argument court can confirm or reject the bail.

Pre arrest Bail, more commonly known as anticipatory bail since it is a legal relief in anticipation of a possible arrest. This Bail form is considered difficult as compared to Post arrest Bail since this has to be obtained on maximum legal grounds as mere superficial facts are available and cases are in their infancy stage.

Simply put If any person apprehends that there is a move to get him arrested on false or trump up charges, or due to enmity with someone, or he fears that a false case is likely to be built up against him, or becomes aware of such case being lodged against him/her, he/she has the right to move the court of Sessions, the High Court or another court of competent jurisdiction under Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of bail in the event of his arrest, and the court may, if it thinks fit, direct that in the event of such arrest, he shall be released on bail.

The court will weigh in various aspects before granting the Bail to the accused in Pakistan which include:

Mala fide, ulterior motives or false implication are essential for pre-arrest bail—Pre-arrest bail can be granted where the arrest of accused is imminent with ulterior motive, mala fides or due to his false implication apparent on the face of record. This normally happens when the purpose of a case/possible case is to malign the accused.

The gravity/seriousness of the crime: As viewed in superior courts the fact that a case is serious such as murder, rape etc does not necessarily mean it is non-bailable. The gravity of allegation should not stand in way of grant of pre arrest bail.

As stated above it is an extraordinary relief for the common man therefore the law for Grant of pre-arrest bail in Pakistan helps protect innocent persons against victimization through abuse of law for ulterior motives.

Individual is willing and in physical form surrendering towards the Law with maximum cooperation.

Courts may take lenient view if the accused is facing health problems and prima facie the case has been lodged to malign the same.

Whether the accused was at the scene, where crime was conducted— Accused (petitioner) was neither present at the time of occurrence nor any overt act was attributed to him then the court granted bail in Achar Vs State 2011 YLR 1640 Sindh

Case is a civil dispute rather than criminal as claimed.

Jurisdiction of competent courts in Pakistan are very much outlined in law, therefore jurisdiction will als play a part in grant of pre arrest bail in Pakistan.

Conditions of Pre-Arrest/Anticipatory Bail…Law and Procedure in Pakistan

The Court of competent jurisdiction may include such conditions in the light of the facts of the particular case, as it may think fit, including:

a condition that the person shall make himself available for interrogation by the police officer as and when required;

a condition that the person shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer;

a condition that the person shall not leave the country without the previous permission of the court.

a condition that an X amount of money/monetary asset may be deposited with the court.

If you are Looking for immediate Legal relief in your case, Abori (Anticipatory bail) may be your first legal weapon in a court of Law. M&M helps both Pre arrest Bail Filing, Grant and opposition for our valued clients in all courts in Pakistan and have a track record of excellent results.

Our legal team provides reliable and dependable property management services in major cities of Pakistan. We legally manage all kinds of residential, commercial and industrial properties, and specialize in providing this service to overseas Pakistanis having properties in major cities of Pakistan. We will ensure you can achieve maximum value from your property in Pakistan, having satisfaction that your property is being looked after professionally and diligently in Pakistan. This is what our clients’ value most from our services.

If you have property in Pakistan which is vacant, not attended properly, or is unfairly occupied by an unscrupulous tenant, there is no reason to wait and you should immediately contact our law firm.

Our Services:

·We use of different means to find suitable tenants for the property, including newspaper ads, online ads and liaison with local real estate agents etc. and attracting interest from prospective tenants.

·Carrying out background and reference checks about the tenants, as well as previous rental history.

·Repairs or maintenance of the property, and communicating the same to the owners of the property.

·Conducting routine property inspections (both interior and exterior) to identify any unauthorized structural change in the property, or any other violation of the lease agreement. Getting digital pictures of the property and sending them to the owner of the property.

·Payment of all kinds of recurring bills in respect of the property, including electricity, gas, water, telephones etc, as well as government property taxes.

·Conducting routine maintenance of the property.

·Issuing eviction notices to tenants, and filing court petitions for eviction of the tenants.

·Attending court hearings for eviction of the tenants.

·Providing all necessary legal and commercial advice to owners of the property.

·Any other service on mutually negotiated terms.

Monitoring of Property

Our property Monitoring service has proved to be highly useful and popular among the overseas Pakistanis who remain absent from Pakistan for extended periods of time, and have unconstructed plots in Pakistan. Unfortunately in Pakistan, land grabbing and forceful possession of plots has become a menace, and overseas Pakistanis are the prime target of this crime. In Pakistan it is not worth owning properties without constantly monitoring them.

We legally provide you a transparent, reliable and vigilant mechanism to safeguard your plots from land grabbers and ‘qabza mafia’, by either providing the legal service to you or assisting your relatives in Pakistan.

Our Property Monitoring Services includes:

·Regular (scheduled or random) visits of plots to ensure that the plot is free from any kind of encroachment or adverse possession. We will immediately take legal action for the protection of the property and intimate and alert the owner of the plot about any suspicious activity at or around the plot.

·Regular reporting to the owner of the plot on the status of the plot, including sending digital pictures of the plot to the owner.

·Bases on client’s requirement, schedule weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly visits of the plot can be planned.

·A notice board or wall marking can be optionally displayed at the plot to warn any trespassers.